Electric generator



(No Model.)

S. J. WALLACE.

, ELECTRIC GENERATOR. No. 274,865. Patented Mar. 27.18.88.

N. vanas. m'muungngyr, wnmngam n. c.

i `UNITED STATES PATENT Ormes.

SAMUEL J. WALLACE, OF KEOKUK, IOWA.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

SFCIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,865, dated March 27, 1883.

Application filed December 8, 1882. (No model.) l

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL JACOB WAL- LAGE, a citizen of the United States, residingat Keokuk, in the county ofLee and StateofIowa, have invented certain new and useful ,Im provements in Processes of and'Apparatus for Generating Electricity; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and fignres of reference marked thereon, which form a part of lthis specification.

Thisin vention relates to the generation and use of electricity; and it consists in several generic and specific features of processand apparatus therefor, which are practiced and made .substantially as set forth hereinafter, and as shown in the drawings, in which- Figure l is crosssection of the electric generator; Fig. 2, a vertical section of same at right angles to Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a part View of the holders for gases for use in the battery;

Fig. 4, a sectional elevation of holder foriinid for use therein; Fig. 5, a plan of general arrangement of the parts for use. Fig. 6 shows the arrangement of a rotary switch, and Fig. 7 shows a section of a valve.

Air to supply oxygen is compressed by `an y apparatus at A', of any suitable construction therefor, and is stored in a 'gas-holder, A, of

y any'suitable construction, provided with pipe n.for distributing it. Several other gas-hold ers, O, G", H, and G, of any suitable construction, are made, each provided with a separate pipe, o, h, and g, for distribution. The

pipe a conveys compressed air to furnace Gi",

which is made in any suitable plan to generate active clectropositive gases for usein the battery in the gas-generator Gf, from which they pass by distributing-pipe g to gas-holder G, and, when the battery is in operation, to the electric generators while still hot therefrom. These gases are made by a water-gas process from carbonaceousand sulphurous matter burned by air and steam, sov as to produce hydrogen and sulphurous oxide gases, with others. In this process metalliferous ores containing anyof such metals as lead, antimony,

zinc, copper, silver, goldtiron, manganese, and

chromium are used along with coal; and any suitable alkali-as soda, lime, or potash-is also added to unite with carbon and nitrogen to produce a cyanideV for use in the battery.

The holder 0, with its pipe o, is for oxygen liberated in the battery. Holder H and its pipe his for hydrogen liberated in the battery,

'and holder G is for positive gases which have been used once or which are very much diluted with inactive gases and are held for use at odd times. All the gases are Aheld and used under pressure as high as practicable above the atmosphere to save space in storage, to enable them to force their way through the electric generators, and to increase their electro-chemical activity and power therein.

y A Huid-holder is made of any suitable material and construction to hold the batteryfluid, and is mounted on shaft f in frame f,

so that it may be turned. This has two or` more storage-chambers, F F', for iinid ofl dif- 1 ferent grades or kinds, and working-,chambers D D', to furnish Huid to and to receive it from the battery continuously, providedwith connectingpipes d d therefor, having suitable disconnectingjoin ts and valves for regulating or for stopping the tiow. turned to bring either working-chamber above the battery to supply fluid to it, and the otherl belovsT to receive it therefrom. By suitable tube-connections to be applied therefor the Huid may he run from the upper working-` chamber into either storage-chamber, and from either storage-chamber to the lower workingchamber, and the positions of the workingchambers can be reversed by turning on shaft f', so that atanytime the battery can be supplied with` any of the kinds of fluid in` storage, and the fluid from itcan be stored in either chamber. In a like way the fluid from either chamber can be run into either gas-holder to absorb or act upon or be acted upon by the gases therein, and be run back for storage for use inthe battery.

s The battery consists of one or more electric generators, V W X Y Z. These are made of cylindrical form, either separate or inany com- The holder can be IOO efr/1,865

v enings. These 4generators have outside shells,

T, of sheet metal or other material, and inside shells, U, of porcelain or other durable insulating material, and between them a durable insulating-lining, R, of pitch or other suitable matter to protect the louter shell and hold theinner one in place. These form walls around the whole 'generator-'-bottom, sides, ends, and lid-and insulate the interior parts. rlhe inner wall, Uis formed of as few sections as may be. Each such inclosed generator-chamber is divided into two cells, P N, by wall M of durable non-conducting material, impervious except a portion of its lower part, and iitting closely around the sides to separate the gases in the two cells. A portion of the lower part ot' this wall is porous and pervious to the fluid, and is formed of a thick, close fabric woven of spun glass and asbestus fibers, and subjected to a heat to cause the glass ibers 'to cohere somewhat to bind the asbestus closely, or any other suitable diaphragm may be` used. The ends are lined inside with porous carbon plates E", forming electrodes yand connected with the sleeves L L". These plates are formed of a thick fa blic of cloth or felt, which is saturated with a thick fluid containing carbonaceous mattersuchas tar, sirup, or gum-and then charred, and then saturated again and recharred at a high heat'one or more times to make' it a durable porous electric conductor.

The bent shell E" is a porous plate of car-V bon formed in the same way, and connects gastight at each ot' its edges, along the sides and ends ot' the cell, with an open space, S, below it and small perforations along the bottom at one side of the center, which admit the escape of gas up under the electrode E on the shaft above. The shaftK, as shown, passes by gastight bearings K L L" through the middle and end walls, and has an insulating covering, 7c, of rubber or other material, upon which is an outer shell, L, in two parts, of copper, which are separated by an insulating section through the center wall. The shaft may be made in two parts insulated from each other, with the bearings arranged so as not to open through the walls, if preferred. On this shaft are hung electrodes E E', one in each cell, with copper boxes L to turn on theshaft and form conducting-connections with the sleeves thereon. The electric circuit is by wire c to bearing L, by this to electrodesE" and E and to the sleeve L on the shaft connecting to the electrode E, and from these electrodes in cell l? through the iiu'id and porous wall to the like electrodes in cell N, from which, by a like route reversed, it reaches wire c.

The electrode-disks E E are made in this way: Into acircular mold are placed, irst, a thick cloth wet with a thick fluid containing sirup, gum, tar, or other carbonaceous matter, to form one side wall, and upon that broken coke, charcoal, and pulverized metalliferous ores or substances, wet with a like iiuid and wellv intermixed with dry cotton or other lqose, fiber, to the thickness required, with a like cloth ou top to form the other wall. The interior mass is tilled in rather openly around the outside of the circle, and'more close within and a number of open spaces or pockets, e, are left or formed with contracted mouths opening out. The whole is secured in the mold, and heated to char it into a firm body, then removed and saturated in a like way with a fluid containing a solution of carbonaceous m atter and metallic salts, and recharred at avery high heat to form a hard porous b'ody suitable for an active electrode. This has close sides, an open periphery, and a porous mass {ille-d with intricate cells, pores, and passages through-A out, which has its capacity as an electrode in creased by the particles and traces of metallic matter, as well as by its tinepores and passages.

Five or any other number of these generators are arranged to form abattery,VW X Y Z, as in Fig. 5,-either separate or as parts of one structure, and each is connected byfa branch pipe, as shown in Fig. 5 and as at h', with the distributing-pipes, with a o in cells N, -and with g h in cells 1?.,from-the holders A O El Gr,` so as to receive gases therefrom. These branches enter, as shown at I, Fig. 1, under diaphragm electrode plateE, and each has two valves, as ath', Fig. l, one to be set to graduate or cut off the inow, and the other made, as in Fig. 7, or otherwise, to-permit the gas to go one way but not the other. Each cell has corresponding outiow-pipes from the top, as at h and Q, provided with like valves, to stop or graduate the flow and stop its backflow, connecting back to the distributing-pipes and holders. That to pipe a may be arranged to blow off bya limited outletinto the air,'and that to pipeg may be led to holder G'". Each cell in this arrangement has inlets from two holders, only one of which is to be used at one time, while the otheris closed byits valves, according to the effect required. The positive gases always connect with cell l), and thev negative with cell N.

All substances notin solution which it is desired to introduce to the generator to assist in any desired result, either to increase the electric current, to increase the catalytic force of the electrodes, or the electrolytic qualities of the fluid, to assist in special reactions, to furnish material for use in power-storage, or to furnish desirable products, are placed in pockets e in the rotary electrodes, and are held in by plugs of asbestus fibers, slag-wool, or by other means. Substances in solution to be added may be mixed in the fluid holder.

The plan view shows the wires connected in two series-V Win one and X YZ in the otherwhich are connected so that what is direct through the latter are the reverse through the former, with the terminal ends C C ready for connecting together for a closed circuit or otherwise. Fig. (i shows a. circular switch for use in such a case, where 2 and/'3 would represent IOO i the terminal wires of the largerlseries X Y Z,

(' being that shown disconnected in Fig. 5,)

and ftand 5 those of the other and smaller series, `V W, (C being thedisconnected terminal in Fig. 5.) Theinternal part ot' this circular switch is rotary and can be turned to` bring ditt'erent set of points l', 2', 3', 4', 5', 6', 7', 8',

i 9', and 10 on its periphery in connection with `a series of six terminal wires, 1, 2, 3, 4, -5, and

6; Different pairs of these internal points are connected by insulatedparts, as shown, or in any other suitable way. When connected and arranged as shown in Fig. 6 it throws all i the battery into one directseriesin circuit with the terminals l and 6 of an outside circuit for useful work, and when turned, as shown by the arrow, one point around, the connections are made, as shown by dotted lines, which cuts the i battery out of the working-circuitand closes it ceived them before from the holders. gasesin these generatorsV W,when used there` into a circuitto itself, with its two'sections reversed, as shownin plan, Fig. 5, with the two terminals joined. By this means the whole battery can be instantly' thrown into circuit for work or cut out and thrown into a circuit for storageat intervals as often as or ot' any length desired. When arranged for suchnse the generators of the smaller and reversible section V W are connected with the pipes o h open, and those ot'ithe` other and larger section, X Y Z, which is not reversible,with pipes Va g open.' Then, when they are connected as in Fig. 6, generators X Y Ztake and use i'urnace-gas from G and air from A, and gener ators V W take and use oxygen from O and' hydrogen from H, and when connected the other way the section using air and gasestroin hohler G continue to doso,andtheothers, hav!` ing the reversed current',deeomposewater andl liberate itsgases in the same cells which rein, leave a comparative vacuum therein, into which the gases under pressure in the hohler torce themselves by the branch pipes, as at h',

continuously, and when new gases are liberated therein they `force themselves to the hold ers by the outlet branch pipes, as ath". In this way the actions are automatic, and always ready to go on assoon as thecircnitis changed either way, and the capacity' for storageis not limitedby the generators themselves, for one set mayr store up force in gases to be used in another set or in themselves, and the battery is never idle. If not at work in an outside circuit as a whole, it is at work storing up force` The ive electrolytic iiuid, the gases from the holders e force themselvesinto each cell at Iinto space S below the porous electrode E, and forces the fluid down and out of this space, so that the gaseous matter can escape by the perforations upward at the bottom. This electrode, thus Vhaving fluid on one side and above it and gases on the other side and below it, and being nely porous, absorbs both,so as to bring theminto vintimate contact together and with itself, so

as to produce electro-chemical tension, and,

when a capable circuit is made, to produce` chemical union ot' the active gas and an electric current therefrom. The gases from space S escape upward from the perforations in electrode E" against the lower side ot' rotary electrode E at one side ot' the center. Into this the gases enter to partly fill its passages, interstices` cells, and pores, so as to cause it to turn by the tlotation of the one side and bring continuously new parts over the gas in the i duid, to be partly filled with the gas in turn. This action distributes the gas throughout the whole mass of the electrode along with the active tiuid, which is carried along in its intricate passages, cells, and pores, and upon its greatly-extended irregular surfaces, so that the active gases and fluid are partly absorbed together into its pores, and partly brought into intimate contact together in contact with its active parts, and caused to act in the same way as in electrode E" to unite and produce au electric current upon the same principles as in Groves gas-battery. The parts of the fluid and gas in contact are continually renewed in this way, and the parts. which are or become inactive have a chance to escape, the gases upward and the fluid down, each escaping by its appropriate pipe at Q for gases at the top,

and at Q' t'oruid at the bottom.` The gas is` Vcontinuously renewed at I, as recited, and the fluid at 1' at `top from the supply working- `chamber D. The duid drops in at I'onto one side of' the electrode E, and runs into it, so as to carry it down in the same Waythe incoming gas tends to turn it.V In dropping in it is' arranged to separate, to avoidelectric connection from the cell, and the inlet-pipe d and outlet-pipe d', with theirconnecting-chambers, are'suitably insulated against short-circuiting between the cells. The electrode is turned by these two incoming streams of gas and duid, anddwhen requireddby mechanical meansv, by shaft k, and as it turns it. carries the gases held in it down into the iiuid and brings the and intermix them `forcibly in continuouslyrenewed active and ruiming contact with each other and the electrode to cause their union and produce an electric current, the iiuid continually ruiming down and the `gas continually rising through the active.. electrode. The heat ot' the incoming positive gases from the furnace keeps up a high and active temperaturethrough the apparatus to greatly increase the action. Any other suitable means IOO IIO

IIS

`tiuid up into the gas, to bring them together Y are used, when required, to keep up as high a heat as may-be desired for this purpose above that of the natu al conditions to the extent which the materials used will bear to advantage. Where very high heats are intended, the apparatus is specially built and arranged to resist'them.

The apparatus ismade as concentrated as practicable. The space is closely filled and surrounded by active electrode materials filled throughout with interstices, passages, and pores to greatly extend-their contact-surfaces to avoid internal resistance of the currentl in traversing the luidand to increase the power ofthe apparatus. For this purpose the store of gases and fluid within it 's made small, and they are both all the time changed and renewed to keepup the highest activity. Ihe active positive gases in this way pass through the generator-cell P beneath and above the fluid and its hydrostatic level, in contactwith the active electrode and fluid in an electric circuit, so as to be taken into chemical union andoXidized,tlle hydrogen into water, andthe sulphurous oXide into sulphuric` acid, which together form an active electrolytic iiuid for use in the battery, and for other uses, and

generate at the same time an equivalent elec` tric current through the circuit. rlhe other positive constituents of the gas, as well as those held in the pockets c and those held by previous deposit through the electrode, together with those in solution and suspension in the uid which come in contact with the l the fluid and often to produce other desired results. Oxygen is taken into union in a like wayin cell N, to supply the equivalents ofthat which combines with the gases and other matters in'cell P. lt is also absorbed by the fluid and itscontents, as well as by the electrode pores in its forcible intermixture under'pressure, to make them active in the cell work and in future uses. Zinc is supplied in suitable roasted or other ores or salts, or otherwise, as well as 'suitable other metals, to add to the qualities ot' the fluid and to provide a medium for the storage of force by deposit through one of the rotary electrodes, as metal, or in other suitable positive state, as in the case of lead compounds from suitable solutions, t-o be used as in the Faure secondary bat tery. This deposit is made in cell N by cut, ting off the supply ofoxygen in the direct cir` cuit, and in cell P, in the reverse circuit, when suitable substances are in the Huid, by the reducing action ofthe unsatised hydrogen lib-v erated. In this case the loaded electrode is removed and stored for future use, or is used at once in the cell where deposited by reversing the circuit or by changing to the other cell with the circuit the same, when the action is the same as in a galvanic battery or secondary battery, as the case may be. In alike way useful metals are reduced from their ores or otherstates.

VIn this batteryin the ways and for the purposes already indicated, nearly all .organic substances, soluble or otherwise, together with lignite, soft coal, and various carbonaceous and hydrocarbonaceous substances, as well as metalliferous, can be used; and suitable chemicals can be added to improve the reactions desired; but it is preferred to take these in as cheap a state as economy would indicate and complete their preparation in the battery, or in some associated process, and to produce others for sale or other uses in a like way to add to and extend the economy and advantages of the process and apparatus devised.

Several ofthe features set forth admit of various modifications and changes in arrangement, construction, and use.

I reserve for other patents, without prejul dice, such claims as might have been but are notincluded in' this, together with such features as are not sufficiently set forth herein.

I claiml. The process of generating electricity and chemical action which consists in forcing into a geueratorhaving two cells and containing an active electrolytic fluidJand two electrodes, which have cavities, pores, passages, and intricate interstices, air into one celland hot electro-positive gases containing, hydrogen and sulphurousoxide (SO2) into the other cell in such way that the gases will rise up through the tluid and electrode masses within and such level in the cells, respectively, and then' forcibly intermixing the iiuid, gases, and electrodes by mechanical motion to cause the' union ofthe gases, and the action ofan electric current, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in an electro-chemical apparatus, of'an electro-positive gas under a pressure greater than that due to the fluid upon it and the atmosphere, with a positive electrode element wet with an electrolytic fluid, with which the electrode forms part of the path of au electric current, and with a means for` intermixing the gas and the Huid so as to oxidize the gas.` 3. The combination, in an electro-chemical apparatus, of a rotary-or movable positive electrode'element in contact with an electropositivc gas, with-an active electrolytic Huid having motion adaptedto move the electrode, so the motion ot' the electrode will promote oxidation of the gas.

4. The combination, in an electro-chemical apparatus, of a movable electrode, with means forintroducing gas below the electrode in the electrolytic fluid, so the gas will act to promote the motion of the electrode.

5. The combination, in an electro-chemical apparatus, of anV electro-positive gas containing hydrogen and a compoundof sulphur, with an electrolytic uid and a positive elecl trode element, which, in contact, form part of YIc the path of an electric current, so the hydrogen and sulphurous matterwillbe oxidized'to forman electrolytic fluid for use in the apparatus. y

6. y Thel combination, in apparatus for electro-chemical purposes, of means for generating electro-positive gases from carbonaceous matter, with `means for using the gases by their electro-chemical energy to promote electrolytic action, substantially as set forth.

7. In promoting electrochemical action, the

r5process which consists in causing an active gasto pass into contact with an electrolytic Vfluid and. an electrode, which together form part of the path of an electric current at aheat above that due to natural conditions, to

zo promote chemical action with the gas'.

8. In promoting electro-chemical action, the

process which consists in causing an .active gas to pass into contact with an .elcctrolytlc substance' at a heat above that due to natural conditions, to promote the union of the gas with the electrolyte to replace matter given up by that in electrolytic action.

9. The combination,in an electrochemical apparatus, of an active gas from an external source connected by inlet with the apparatus,

with an active electrolytic substance and an electrode with it in an electric circuit, and with a source of and means for applying heat thereto beyond that dueto natural conditions, u

so that the gas will enterinto chemical union thereby.

In testimony WhereofI affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL J AGOB WALLACE. Witnesses:`

OorrAVIU's KNIGHT, HARRY E. KNIGHT. 

